PETRIFIED of planes..HELP!!!!!

[Sleepy]

I was always terrified of planes. My first and only flight was when I was 17. Then, when I was 34, we moved to Italy. The only way there and the only way back to visit family is to fly. I had to get over my nervousness really fast. I did not just have a 2 hour flight. I had a 10+ hour flight non-stop. Honestly? Tell mom that once you are in the air and as long as there is no turbulance, she will forget she is even in a plane.

We used to do a 12 hour car trip to WDW each time we went because I was terrified of flying. The only reason we never took the train was because our route would take over 24 hours due to a layover of sorts. We went to WDW last summer. We decided to take a plane instead of rent a car and drive (that 10+ hour flight is bad enough without being in a car another 12 hours). I can't even begin to express how refreshing it feels to start a vacation well rested and not feeling like something had beaten me after driving all night and half the day the way we used to.). Not only that, but we did not lose 2 days of our vacation time driving back and forth. Also, check out day was not started at the crack of dawn hoping to beat the rush. Flying is the only way I will do it now.

 

[Nom]

I used to also be very afraid of flying, and used to drink 2-3 drinks before getting on the plane in order to cope with it. Well, then I became pregnant and could not do that any longer... so I found this fear of flying course:

http://fearofflyinghelp.com/

It's free, and written by a pilot. it is INCREDIBLE. I would highly recommend it. Now I don't drink anymore, since I am usually flying with my dd and don't want to be incopacitated.

Best of luck to you and your family!

 

[MagicAddict2178]

I am also a bad flyer. I have an irrational fear of crashing and if we hit any turbulence it sends me over the edge. After a couple panic attacks mid-flight, I discovered the recipe for a good flight: 10mg of valium! Now I don't fly without it. I hate having to take drugs, but I hate feeling panicky even more. Good luck!

 

[Aisling]

fearofflying.com is an excellent site. It explains exery sound and motion you can feel, and it's very reassuring when you're on the plane that the sounds and vibrations are normal.

I also take xanax, and fly jetblue with the personal tvs. I keep the tv on the map station so I can see exactly where we are and how much farther we have to go. It makes the time go by very quickly.

With the website, the xanax, and the tvs, I can fly ok. Also, I only sit in the front or back of the plane. The front so I feel safer near the flight attendants, and the back so that I won't worry about freaking out in front of people.

Good luck.

 

[englishteacha]

Do NOT take Dramamine and alcohol!! My DH took some Dramamine one time, and a few hours later had a beer. It knocked him out! He honestly doesn't remember several hours of that day. I'd definitely have your mom talk to her doctor. I'm sure he/she can suggest something that will help. I've heard that some folks find meditation to be helpful when flying. I hope you find something that will work.

 

[NJTWINMOM]

Please have her visit her family Dr. Like several other posters I also have severe panic attacks. I had flown for years suffering and taking Dramamine
to help me sleep through the anxiety. Once I had my girls, I for 1. did not want them to see me like that and 2. I needed to be able tend to two toddlers during the flights. The Dr. prescribed a very low dose anti-anxiety medication and I couldn't believe the difference. It was amazing! No one should have to deal with anxiety when they fly.I just wish I had gone to the Dr. sooner.

 

[constanze]

I reallllllllly don't like flying. I've always liked flying Frontier (I'm in Denver) because of the tvs in front of every seat. But this time I'm flying SW for the first time. Does Southwest have the tv's?

 

[Aisling]

. Does Southwest have the tv's?

Unfortunately, Southwest doesn't have the personal TVs.